‘I didn’t believe it’: Greece Central School District mourns the loss of teacher killed in Friday vehicle accident

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Students and staff of the Greece Central School District and surrounding districts are mourning the loss of a beloved teacher.

Jillian Branciforte, an English and new language teacher at Greece Olympia, died in a vehicle accident, the district announced Saturday. According to GCSD, the accident happened on Friday. Nothing further has been confirmed at this time, though News 8 has reached out to police to learn more.

“This loss affects not only Olympia but also the entire district, as Jillian’s influence extended across multiple schools,” the district said in a statement.

Abby, a high school student, described her relationship with the late educator as a special one, even though she wasn’t in the classroom as Branciforte’s direct student.

“She’s always been lifting me up, laughing about something. We would always be joking around,” Abby said. “After school, I would talk to her for hours before she would go home [when] I would stay after for my soccer games. And I would just talk to her about the most random stuff. And when she would see me in the hallway, she would be so excited to see me and we would talk for a little bit. She was just always there for me.”

Abby said she was in disbelief upon being told of the devastating news Friday night by a friend, just a short while after the crash happened.

“She called me and just said, ‘Miss Branciforte died.’ And I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And I was just, I, like, didn’t believe it,” Abby said. “A counselor at school confirmed that it was her, and I was just in shock, because – I had just seen her at school. I was just with her.”

Saturday, the Greece community came together for a private vigil. Each person who knew Jillian could only spotlight the good she brought to the district.

“She’s a very young teacher, and at least 40 players have gone through the Varsity program because she’s worked with them when they’ve come in, and she tries to tap into everyone’s talents and strengths,” Abby’s mother, Amanda, told News 8.

Abby told News 8, she’ll miss the wisdom and light Branciforte brought to so many, including herself in times of need.

“She really was so kind,” Abby said. “I never saw her upset with anyone. Everyone just talked about all the amazing things that she had done for them, and that they’ve talked about with her.”

The Hilton Central School District wrote on Facebook that Jillian was a 2013 graduate of the district.

According to the Greece Central School District, the Trauma, Illness, and Grief team will be available to support students and staff in the coming days.

This is a developing story. You can check back here for more updates.

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